Underwater electrical connection station

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for protectively making, breaking and housing &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;live&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; electrical connections underwater. An underwater container in communication with environmental water encloses a hydrophobic dielectric fluid of lower specific gravity than environmental water above an opening permitting access to the dielectric fluid for manipulating electrical connectors admitted into said container. Holders may be provided within the container to retain the electrical connectors in the fluid. The opening may be closed by a nonsealing cap. A method of making an underwater connection includes securing a first electrical connector in an underwater container above an opening in a lower portion of the container before or after establishing a body of hydrophobic dielectric fluid of lower specific gravity than water in said container sufficient for immersion of the first electrical connector. A second electrical connector connectable with the first electrical connector is then introduced into the container and elevated into the dielectric fluid. The connectable electrical connectors are than connected while immersed in the dielectric. To break the connection, the container is entered by the opening and the connected electrical connectors are disconnected while immersed in the dielectric fluid.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Thomas W. Childers Woodland Hills,Calif. [21] Appl. No. 798,937 [22] Filed Feb. 13, 1969 [45] PatentedAug. 31, 1971 [73] Assignee Esso Production Research Company [54]UNDERWATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTION STATION 12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

(52] US. Cl 339/117, 61/69 [51] Int. Cl. ..II0lr 13/60, a l-10lr 19/16[50] Field of Search 339/94, l 111, 117; 200/150; 166l.5,.6;61/69;174/1706, l 17.08, 8,31,37, 39,38

(56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,100,721 11/1937 Parsons247/4 3,211,223 10/1965 Hoch 166/.6 3,324,449 6/1967 McLoad.... 339/1 17FOREIGN PATEN 441,995 3/1927 Germany 174/ 17.06

TO S-ERVICE Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore AttorneysThomas B.McCulloch, Melvin F. F incke, John S.

Schneider, Sylvester W. Brock, .lr., Kurt S. Myers and Timothy L.Burgess ABSTRACT: Apparatus and method for protectively making, breakingand housing live" electrical connections underwater. An underwatercontainer in communication with environmental water encloses ahydrophobic dielectric fluid of lower specific gravity thanenvironmental water above an opening permitting access to the dielectricfluid for manipulating electrical connectors admitted into saidcontainer. Holders may be provided within the container to retain theelectrical connectors in the fluid. The opening may be closed by anonsealing cap.

A method of making an underwater connection includes securing a firstelectrical connector in an underwater container above an opening in alower portion of the container before or after establishing a body ofhydrophobic dielectric fluid of lower specific gravity than water insaid container sufficient for immersion of the firstv electricalconnector. A second electrical connector connectable with the firstelectrical connector is then introduced into the container and elevatedinto the dielectric fluid. The connectable electrical connectors arethan connected while immersed in the dielectric. To break theconnection, the container is entered by the opening and the connectedelectrical connectors are disconnected while immersed in the dielectricfluid.

PATENTEUAUBBI um 3,602,873

4- FROM POWERSOURCE -|6 27;

INVENTOR. THOMAS W- CHILDERS,

2 POWEZ SUPPLY -"Jnn BY f SERVICE LINES 5 ATTOR EY.

' UNDERWATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTION STATION t BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONelectrical connection to one or more service lines of such apparatus.When it is necessary to repair or replace such electrical apparatusunderwater, it is highly desirable to be able to protectively make andbreak live" connections (i.e., with the power on) underwater so that itis not necessary to disrupt service to other parts of a limited system.This the present state of the art does not permit. (Representative ofthe art in US. Pat. No. 3,324,499

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore one purpose of the presentinvention to provide apparatus and method for making and breakingelectrical connections oflive" underwater conductors.

It is another purpose or object to provide apparatus in which brokenlive electrical connectors can be housed underwater.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatuscontaining water in communication with environmental water, but in whichlive" electrical connections may be protectably housed, made and unmade.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus which may befabricated of virtually any transparent material to permit diverobservation underwater of actions conducted within the apparatus.

Briefly, these and other objects of the invention are accomplished byenclosing a hydrophobic insulator fluid of lower specific gravity thanenvironmental waters above an accessway in a container which is incommunication with environ- 1 mental waters that form an interface inthe container with the fluid. The fluid serves as a nonconductive mediumin which electrical connectors may be protectably housed, connected anddisconnected by manipulations made through the accessway. Holders may beprovided to retain one or more of the connectors above the interface.Means may be provided in the container below the interface to admitelectrical connectors iiito the container. In one aspect of theinvention, means are provided in the container for sealingly admittinginsulated lead lines of the electrical connectors into the containerabove the interface. In another aspect of the invention, means areprovided for nonsealingly closing the accessway.

' A method of making an underwater connection with this apparatusincludes the step of securing a first electrical connector in acontainer above an accessway in the container either before or afterestablishing a body of hydrophobic insulating fluid having a specificgravity lower than water in the con tainer and of quantity sufficient toallow immersion therein of said first electrical connector. Thereafter asecond electrical connector connectable with the first electricalconnector is introduced into the container and immersed in theinsulating fluid, after which the two electrical connectors areconnected in the insulating fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Forms in which the invention may beembodied are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of thepresent specification. Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an underwater station of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment anunderwater station of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The forms shown in the drawingswill now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating how thegeneral principles of the invention may be carried out. v

Referring now to the drawings, in which identical numbers refer tocorresponding or like parts, reference numeral 10 generally indicates anunderwater station constructed in accordance with the present invention.Located beneath the surface of sea or other waters 1 1, station 10 istypically placed at or near underwater wellhead production facilitieswhich have parts, such as valves, controls, and telemetry equipment,that are operated, directly or indirectly, by electrical power suppliedto that site. In the forms illustrated in FIG. 1 and 2, station 10embodies a container 12 formed of a roof l3 unitary with sidewalls 14terminating in a lip 15, which defines an accessway or opening 16 in thebase of the container. As shown for the station of FIG. 2, ridges 17 onthe exterior surface of the lip 15 of the sidewalls 14 are shaped toengage spring detent members 18 located on the inside of upstandingflange 19 of a snap-on cap 20, which is used to nonsealingly close theopening 16 of the container. In the form which the station 10 takes inFIG. 2, opening 16 is nonsealingly closed by a like snap latch on ahinged trapdoor 20A.

- Enclosed within container 12 above opening 16 is a body of hydrophobicinsulator or nonconductive dielectric fluid 12 of specific gravity lowerthan that of the environmental water 11. A suitable-such fluid is anoil, advantageously clear or transparent, which is essentially free ofelectrically conductive qualities. Fluid 21 may be introduced intocontainer 12 by means of a fluid fill line 22 in a sidewall 14 of thecontainer, or through opening 16 of the container when cap 20 is removedor door 20A is opened. Sufficient of fluid 2l is let in to displaceenvironmental water 11 from the container 12 until the body of fluid 21is large enough to permit insulative manipulation of electricalconnectors immersed therein. An interface 23 formed between fluid 21 andwater 11 defines the lowermost level of the body of fluid 21. Theclosure of opening 16 by cap 20 ro door 20A reduces the loss of fluid 21from the container as a result of turbulence or current action ofenvironmental water 11, and serves to exclude crabs, fish and other sealife from the container.

Electrical connections within the container 12 are accomplished with aplurality of mateable electrical connectors, or contacts, in insulatedelectrical communication with insulated electrically conductiveunderwater power and service lines. These lines may be admitted intocontainer 12, and positioned in insulating fluid 21 above interface 23,in a number of ways.

Nonsealing admission into container 12 below the body of insulatingfluid 21 is illustrated in the drawings; Service and power supply lines,terminating, respectively, in electrical connectors 24 and 25, passthrough inferiorly disposed holes 26 in the sidewalls 14 (FIGS. 1, 2) orfloor 33 (FIG. 3) of the container. The holes are closed to most marinelife by nonsealing grommets 27. A nonsealing entrance (not illustrated)may be through opening 16 in stations omitting closure of opening 16,or, if closure is provided, by holes in nonsealing closures such as cap20 or door 20A. Alternatively, or in combination with nonsealingadmission below fluid 21, one or more of the power and/or supply linesmay be sealingly introduced into container 12 above interface 23. Thisis, however, less desirable, since provision of sealed entrance entailsgreater expense and risks loss of fluid 21 should the seal about suchentrance be lost.

In side container 12, electrical connectors 24 may be supported withinthe fluid 21 above the interface 23 when connected or disconnected.Power line connector 25 is preferably permanently secured to thecontainer, superiorly, so as to be above interface 23, by a suitablefastener 28. However, power line connector 25 may be removably heldabove interface 23 by means of a holder, such as the holder 29 providedfor retention of service line connector 24 when connector 24 isdisconnected from power line connector 25. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2, holder 29 is a hook, secured to wall 14, which may catch a loopattached tothe insulative housing of connector 24. In FIG. 3, holder 29is a chain fixed at one end to the insulator housing of socket board 30,and at the other end to insulative material on service line connector 24(and also to the housing of a lead-in power line connector Brackets andother holder means may be suitably employed. If desired, the holder forthe service line may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 3, where for clarity of illustration, fluid 21 andwaters 1] are not shown, container 12 is provided with a socket boardanchored to roof 13. A battery of sockets 25 are adapted to connect witha plurality of plugs 24. Each plug may be specifically indexed so thatit will insert only in a companionally indexed socket. The container isclosed except for an opening 16A provided in the inferior portion ofasidewall 14. Slideways 31 and 32 secured to the upper and lower borders,respectively, of opening 16A slidably mount therein a slide door 208 fornonsealing closure of opening 16A.

Because of the nonsealing closure of opening 16 and the nonsealingentrances below the level of interface 23, hydrostatic pressure isessentially equal across the walls of container 12. Consequently,container 12 may be fabricated in whole or part from virtually anymaterial which can be used in surface level waters, Thus, the smallercontainers, such as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be made of clearplastic or glass. Larger battery-type containers, as illustrated in FIG.3, may have clear glass or plastic windows 34. In either case,communication of the container with environmental water permits use ofrelatively inexpensive clear materials which enables divers to viewtheir manipulation of the electrical connectors in the container.

The height of container 12 relative to its diameter should besufficient, at least, to enclose a volume of fluid 21 above interface 23permitting immersion by fluid 21 of electrical connections, as well asthe making and breaking of electrical connections. Advantageously, thelevel of interface 23 will permit making and breaking of electricalconnections without displacement of fluid 21 from the container by theentrance ofinserted arms and hands of divers, or inserted and remotelymanipulated tools.

In a method of making an electrical connection underwater according tothe present invention, a diver secures a first electrical connector(such as power line connector 25) to a superior portion of one ofcontainers 12, either before or after the diver or another hasestablished a body ofinsulating fluid 21 in the container sufficient forimmersion of electrical connectors posited therein, which may be to alevel above access opening 16 or 16A, and desirably, above nonsealingopening 26. To establish the body of fluid 21 in the container, thediver discharges a hydrophobic insulating fluid having a specificgravity lower than water into the container, as by pouring it into fluidfill line 22 or into container 12 through access opening 16, to displaceadequate amounts of environmental water in the container. Meansheretofore disclosed may be used to secure the first electricalconnector in the upper portion of the container. Admission of the firstelectrical connector to the container may be through nonsealed holes 26in the container, or through opening 16 or 16A, or through a sealed holein the container, as described hereinbefore.

After establishment of the body fluid 21 in the container and aftersecuring the first electrical connector in the upper portion of thecontainer for insulative immersion by the fluid 21. the diver theninserts a second electrical connector matingly connectable with thefirst electrical connector (for example, a service line electricalconnector 24) through a hole 26in wall 14 (FIGS. 1, 2) or floor 33 (FIG.3). With the cap 20 off the container (FIG. 1), or the trapdoor 20Aswung open (FIG. 2), or the slide door 208 slid open, the diver theninserts one hand through the opening 16 or 16A and grasps the secondelectrical connector, which he elevates in container 12 throughinterface 23 into fluid 21 until it is juxtaposed to the firstelectrical connector with which it is matingly connectable. (Or he cansimply carry the second electrical connector through opening 16 or 16Ato juxtaposition with the first electrical connector). He then insertsthe contact prongs of one of the connectors into the contact receptaclesof the other connector to make electrical connection therebetween; forexample, he may plug service line connector 24 into power line socketconnector 25 to make an electrical connection. Instead of using his handto manipulate the electrical connectors, the diver may employ anappropriate tool or a remote manipulator, particularly if the size ofthe opening 16 is too small to permit satisfactory handling of theconnectors.

To break any of the electrical connections made in the underwaterstations 10 the diver removes the snapoff cap 20 or swings open trapdoor20A, or slides open slide door 20B to gain access to opening 16 or 16Aof containers 12. He then passes his hand and arm, or a manipulatingtool, or a remote manipulator, into the opening, and, observing hisactions through the clear plastic or glass walls 14 (FIGS. 1, 2) orwindow 34 (FIG. 3), he elevates his hand, or a remote manipulator, upthrough interface 23 into insulator fluid 21, where he grasps theunsecured electrical connector (for example, service line plug 24) anddisconnects the connected electrical connectors in the insulating fluid.

To retain the disconnected electrical connector within the insulatingfluid in the container, the diver removably fastens the disconnectedelectrical connector to a holder, such as hook 29, by suitable means ashereinbefore described. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, thedisconnected plug connectors 24 are held above interface 23 by chainholders 29.

Thus, it is apparent that the objects of the invention are accomplished.By providing a sufficient quantity of a nonconductive fluid of specificgravity lower than water in a container in communication withenvironmental water, an insulating medium is established underwater formaking, breaking, and housing electrical connections of live underwaterconductors. The communication of water inside the container below thenonconductive medium with water outside the container equilibrates thepressure across the container walls and allows the container to befabricated of transparent materials such as glass or plastic, therebypermitting diver observation of underwater actions conducted within theapparatus. While specific embodiments showing means by which theseobjects can be obtained have been depicted herein, it is manifest thatother embodiments or improvements may be employed without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention defined in the subsequent claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of making an underwater electrical connection comprising thesteps of:

a. securing first electrical connection means within an underwatercontainer above an accessway in the container;

b. displacing water in the container with a hydrophobic insulating fluidhaving a specific gravity lower than water sufficiently to immerse saidfirst electrical connection means in said insulating fluid;

c. introducing into said container and positioning in said fluid secondelectrical connector means engageable with said first electricalconnector means; and

d. connecting said first and second electrical conductor means in saidfluid.

2. A method of making an underwater electrical connection comprising thesteps of:

a. securing first electrical connection means within a body ofhydrophobic insulating fluid having a specific gravity lower than waterand enclosed within an underwater container above an accessway in thecontainer, said container being in communication with environmentalwater whereby an interface is established in said container between saidbody of fluid and said water;

b. introducing said container and positioning above said interfacesecond electrical connector means engageable with said first electricalconnection means; and

c. connecting said first and second electrical conductor means abovesaid interface.

7 3. The method of claim 2 further comprised of the step of firstdisplacing water in said underwater container with a hydrophobicinsulating fluid having a specific gravity lower than water, before saidstep (a), to establish said body of fluid.

4. A method of breaking underwater an electrical connection ofelectrical connectors where said connectors are housed in anonconductive fluid above an opening in an underwater container, saidcontainer being in communication with environmental water, comprising:

entering the container through said opening with manipulative means and,

disconnecting the electrical connectors in the nonconductive fluid.

5. The method of claim 4 in which the disconnected electrical connectorsare retained in the nonconductive fluid by holders within saidcontainer.

6. An underwater apparatus for protectively connecting, disconnectingand housing live,- current-carrying electrical leads, comprising:

enclosure means underwater defining a chamber in fluid communicationwith environmental water for enclosing above said water a body ofhydrophobic insulating fluid having a lower specific gravity than saidwater, said insulating fluid and water defining an interface,

a body of said insulating fluid in said chamber,

electrical connector means in said insulating fluid for connecting anddisconnecting leads of insulated electrically conductive lines, and

inlet'means to said chamber below said interface providing access tosaid electrical connector means whereby electrical connections can besafely made or broken underwater while a current is supplied to one ofsaid leads.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprised of means for nonsealinglyclosing said inlet means.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprised of means apart from saidinlet means for admitting at least one of said electrical connectormeans into said enclosure means below said interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprised of means within saidenclosure means for holding at least one of said electrical connectormeans above said interface.

10 The apparatus of claim 6 further comprised of means for sealinglyadmitting at least one of said electrical connector means into saidapparatus above said interface.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said insulator fluid is a clearoil.

12. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said enclosure means includes afluid impermeable transparent window above said inlet means sufficientlylarge to permit observation of manipu lations conducted upon saidelectrical connector means to make and break electrical connectionsbetween leads of insulated electrically conductive lines.

1. A method of making an underwater electrical connection comprising thesteps of: a. securing first electrical connection means within anunderwater container above an accessway in the container; b. displacingwater in the container with a hydrophobic insulating fluid having aspecific gravity lower than water sufficiently to immerse said firstelectrical connection means in said insulating fluid; c. introducinginto said container and positioning in said fluid second electricalconnector means engageable with said first electrical connector means;and d. connecting said first and second electrical conductor means insaid fluid.
 2. A method of making an underwater electrical connectioncomprising the steps of: a. securing first electrical connection meanswithin a body of hydrophobic insulating fluid having a specific gravitylower than water and enclosed within an underwater container above anaccessway in the container, said container being in communication withenvironmental water whereby an interface is established in saidcontainer between said body of fluid and said water; b. introducing saidcontainer and positioning above said interface second electricalconnector means engageable with said first electrical connection means;and c. connecting said first and second electrical conductor means abovesaid interface.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprised of the stepof first displacing water in said underwater container with ahydrophobic insulating fluid having a specific gravity lower than water,before said step (a), to establish said body of fluid.
 4. A method ofbreaking underwater an electrical connection of electrical connectorswhere said connectors are housed in a nonconductive fluid above anopening in an underwater container, said container being incommunication with environmental water, comprising: entering thecontainer through said opening with manipulative means and,disconnecting the electrical connectors in the nonconductive fluid. 5.The method of claim 4 in which the disconnected electrical connectorsare retained in the nonconductive fluid by holders within saidcontainer.
 6. An underwater apparatus for protectively connecting,disconnecting and housing live, current-carrying electrical leads,comprising: enclosure means underwater defining a chamber in fluidcommunication with environmental water for enclosing above said water abody of hydrophobic insulating fluid having a lower specific gravitythan said water, said insulating fluid and water defining an interface,a body of said insulating fluid in said chamber, electrical connectormeans in said insulating fluid for connecting and disconnecting leads ofinsulated electrically conductIve lines, and inlet means to said chamberbelow said interface providing access to said electrical connectormeans, whereby electrical connections can be safely made or brokenunderwater while a current is supplied to one of said leads.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6 further comprised of means for nonsealingly closingsaid inlet means.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprised of meansapart from said inlet means for admitting at least one of saidelectrical connector means into said enclosure means below saidinterface.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprised of means withinsaid enclosure means for holding at least one of said electricalconnector means above said interface.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6further comprised of means for sealingly admitting at least one of saidelectrical connector means into said apparatus above said interface. 11.The apparatus of claim 6 in which said insulator fluid is a clear oil.12. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said enclosure means includes afluid impermeable transparent window above said inlet means sufficientlylarge to permit observation of manipulations conducted upon saidelectrical connector means to make and break electrical connectionsbetween leads of insulated electrically conductive lines.